On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched an attack on Israel from Gaza in which 1139 were killed, at least 8,730 were injured and an estimated 240 hostages were forced into captivity in Gaza, of which as many as 136 remain as prisoners in Gaza. Brutality of the attacks included credible reports of abhorrent rapes and sexual violence that are widely condemned and subjects of investigation by the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Since then, Israel has launched it’s own offensive into the already blockaded Gaza in order to free hostages and eliminate Hamas. Tensions in the West Bank have also increased. A running count of casualties hosted by Al Jazeera lists at least 18,787 Gazans killed and another 50,987 injured in the ongoing offensive. Starvation is setting in. Deterioration of infrastructure puts hundreds of thousands of Gazans at risk for preventable diseases. Desperate Palestinian health care workers caught up in the offensive are bearing witness to the world that they are in the midst of a massacre and genocide.
What is going here actually is real massacres all over around. If you see the pictures and the videos, actually, you will be shocked. There is no words — no words can describe what is going here. What is going here actually is a real genocide. You know, hundreds and thousands of people, actually, are passing away every day because of these attacks. They’re attacking schools. They’re attacking church, mosques, civilians’ areas, everywhere. Everywhere, they’re attacking. Oh my god, I can’t describe what is going here. It’s massacres. Massacres, what is going here.
United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warns Israel that the push for tactical victories in this conflict is jeopardizing larger strategic goals. The United States, however, has continued support for Israel with military aid and by vetoing a United Nations Security Council cease fire resolution, while also joining a small minority of nations voting against the ceasefire resolution passed by the UN General Assembly.
Israel voted against Tuesday’s resolution along with the US, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Austria, the Czech Republic, Guatemala, Liberia, Micronesia and Nauru.
As a result of the Hamas attacks and Israeli counteroffensive, Gazan views that had been softening on Israel and support for Hamas are now heavily in favor of Hamas, the October 7 attack, and a Palestinian state from river to sea. In the United States already increasing hate crimes against Jews and Muslims may accelerate even further.
In this extremely difficult situation, opportunities and hope remain for peaceful settlement of differences and coexistence. Jewish and Palestinian voices are joining together to call for peace, equality and justice. Jewish and Arab Israeli communities are forging stronger connections with deepening mutual support. Muslims and Jews are meeting to build trust in the United States too.
Today, Sunday, December 17, 2024, Peace Action of San Mateo is hosting a Zoom meeting at 7 pm Pacific with Dorah Rosen of Jewish Voice for Peace South Bay chapter. The Zoom link is in the Peace Action of San Mateo link. Dorah will use words and images to address the current situation, as well as possible next steps toward a ceasefire, and options for a subsequent peaceful solution. She will bring her personal experience of spending time in the West Bank some years ago as a “witness-escort” with Community Peacemaker Teams – formerly known as Christian Peacemaker Teams.
Pardon the late notice. I do what I can with the time I have. Please join the Zoom meeting today as you can. Please let us know about continuing discussions aimed towards peace for Israelis and Palestinians on any platform.